Astronomy every Thursday
A fantastic star trail image by member Simon Dawes taken whilst at Kelling Heath Autumn Star Party on the 20th September 2025.
Simon acquired the image by using a Sony A7SII mirrorless SLR camera on a Manfrotto static tripod & Viltrox 20mm f2.8 lens. 240x 30s exposures (4 hours) were done and stacked using Astro Pixel Processor.
A superb image of the Lobster Claw Nebula with the Bubble Nebula taken on Monday 22nd September 2025 from Bexley by CMHASD member Kevin Langford.
The Lobster Claw Nebula, also known as Sharpless 157 (Sh2-157), is an emission nebula located in the constellation Cassiopeia about 11,000 light-years from Earth. Its name comes from its distinct shape, which resembles a lobster's claw and is formed by glowing gas, dark dust, and stars.
To the left of the claw in the image, you can see NGC 7635 - the Bubble Nebula, which is much more widely known. Also visible is the star cluster NGC 7510, above the lobster claw pincers (Chelae).
Kevin's image consists of 3hrs in total of exposures.
Kevin acquired the image using an ES 102ED APO, 0.7x focal reducer corrector, Pegasus NYX-101, ZWO ASI071, Orion MMAG, L-eNhance filter.
It was then processed in Siril and Affinity photo.
To see a more detailed view of the image check out Kevin's Flickr page at https://www.flickr.com/photos/77708720@N08/54809019524/
The Eastern Veil Nebula, also known as NGC 6992, is an expanding supernova remnant in the constellation Cygnus, bordering the constellation Vulpecula. It was formed by the explosion of a massive star 20 times more massive than the Sun that exploded approximately 8,000 to 10,000 years ago. It is composed of heated gas and dust and is part of a larger structure called the Cygnus Loop.
Join CMHASD for the 1st of 2 Stargazing events at Hall Place & Gardens. The 1st is to be held on the 26th November 2025.
Advance booking required.
Please note this is a ticket only event organised by Bexley Council.
Tickets can be purchased at: https://www.hallplace.org.uk/event/stargazing-november-2025/
We will be there from 7pm to 9pm. (Doors open from 6.45pm)
Outdoor activities are weather dependant.
Below is a selection of CMHASD photos from previous Stargazing events held at Hall Place.
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A super collection of Noctilucent Cloud (NLC) images and a timelapse video taken by CMHASD members during the months of June & July this year.
First we have the 23rd June 2025 where several members managed to capture the clouds.
Member Martin Crow using his iPhone; taken from Burnham-On-Crouch.
And finally a timelapse video of NLC on the 23rd June 2025 taken by member Honor Wheeler also from Dartford.
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Member Jim Burchell also caught NLC on 3 more nights. These were taken on the 30th June 2025 from Dartford.
These on the 3rd July 2025 taken from Dartford.
And finally a stunning display on the 8th July 2025 taken from Swanley by Jim.
Two stunning photos taken on 22nd June 2025, 11:30pm local time, at the Grand Canyon Star Party, Arizona, USA by member Richard Bohner.
First photo: The area of the Teapot and Scorpius. Taken with Canon 6D with 35mm f2.8 lens at ISO 10K, exposure time 8 seconds, single frame. Intentionally under exposed image to show constellation stars without Milky Way stars covering them.
Second photo: same area and equipment but with a 20 second exposure showing the Milky Way, Tea Pot & Scorpius.
With the support of the committee and permission of the Parish Council, a team was set up consisting of members Jo Southgate, Steve Floodgate, John Archer, Mike Rushton, James Savage and Keith Rickard to plan and arrange the Society BBQ for 2025.
On the 28th June 2025 CMHASD held it's annual BBQ and what a superb BBQ it was too - glorious weather, expertly cooked food, games galore and fantastic company all made for a great event.
The team set up from 11:45, with assembly of two gazebos (one for food/drink and the other for games), and outdoor games. Steve, Jo and John set up their respective barbecues and very soon all was ready!
After a fantastic lunch… it was time for games! Kicking off with a round of croquet, then an old school party game ‘Pass the parcel’, but with forfeits as well as prizes. It was a ‘mashup’ of charades, pass-the-parcel, film/tv/book quiz and (reverse) tag! and was enjoyed by all who played.
After tea and cakes… It was time for, pin the tail on the dinosaur! Contestants had to be blindfolded and spun around and disoriented! It was great fun and a lot of laughs were had watching members try and pin the tail on the dinosaur.
[ngg src="galleries" ids="91" display="basic_slideshow"]THANK YOU! To all the wonderful members who worked so hard to give us an amazingly enjoyable day!!! A HUGE round of applause and slaps on backs all-round! AND, thank you to all those who attended and made the BBQ so much fun… Let’s all hope there is another BBQ in 2026?
NEVER LOOK AT THE SUN DIRECTLY. Please click here for solar observing safely.
On the 29th March 2025 there was a partial eclipse of the Sun and many CMHASD members observed the event all over the UK. Below are a selection of photos and a timelapse video of the partial solar eclipse.
It was also the 1st outing of the new Society Solar Lunt telescope called Cecilia and mighty good views of the Sun were seen including a sunspot, prominences and surface detail of the Sun.
First light with Cecilia
The image below was taken pointing a phone down the eyepiece. You can see lots of prominences.
The 2 Sun images below were taken using a phone attached to a phone holder put on Cecilia and it set to the PRO setting. The lower of the 2 images was then processed in Snapseed to crop, flip, colour and processed to bring out the details. Taken at 10.37UT
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The image below was taken using Cecilia after the partial eclipse had finished using an old ZWO colour camera. The image shows a lot of surface detail of the Sun and shows the possibilities for better imaging using a dedicated camera.
The Partial Solar Eclipse by Honor Wheeler
Partial Solar Eclipse by Jim Burchell
Member John Archer's set up and image
Member Guy Roberts' partial solar eclipse image
Member Janice McClean's setup
Member Keith Rickard safely observing the eclipse with dedicated solar filter glasses
Members Diane Clarke and Roger Moore observing the partial eclipse
Diane Clarke's images
Member Martin Crow safely observing the eclipse using the projection method
Timelapse video of the partial Solar Eclipse by Jim Burchell
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NEVER LOOK AT THE SUN DIRECTLY. Please click here for solar observing safely.
A great selection of Sun images taken by members on the 10th & 13th June 2025
Friday 13th June
The Sun by John Archer using a Dwarf 2 smartscope.
An Active Sun by Simon Dawes - details of how Simon acquired his images are on most photos.
Tuesday 10th June
The sun by Dr Mike Rushton taken using a Dwarf 3 smartscope
The Sun by George Buckberry taken using a Dwarf 3 smartscope.
